Differential distribution of pepsinogen II between the zones of the human prostate and the seminal vesicle

Pepsinogen II (PG II) is a gastric proenzyme which has previously been found in both human seminal fluid and the prostate gland. However, no regional distribution of PG II has been noted within the prostate nor has it been found in the seminal vesicle. Bouins-fixed sections of central zone, peripheral zone and seminal vesicle, taken from 10 prostates removed at radical prostatectomy or cystectomy, were exposed to antibody against PG II and stained using the A-B-C immunoperoxidase technique. Formalin-fixed tissue from autopsy prostates of four men in the third decade, and six cases with BPH nodules, were also examined for PG II activity. In nine of 10 seminal vesicles, and seven of 10 central zone samples, more than 50 per cent of the cells stained positive for PG II. By contrast, in nine of 10 peripheral zone samples staining was present in five per cent or less of the epithelial cells. Similarly, PG II activity in the four autopsy prostates occurred almost entirely within the central zone and ended abruptly at the boundary between the peripheral and central zones. BPH nodules contained no PG II activity. These findings provide the first evidence that the central and peripheral zones may serve different biological functions. Embryologically it is currently thought that the prostate is of endodermal origin and the seminal vesicle of mesodermal origin. The presence of large amounts of PG II in both the seminal vesicle and central zone lends support to the hypothesis of a common mesodermal origin for these two structures.     

Pathogenesis and biological significance of seminal vesicle invasion in prostatic adenocarcinoma

Seminal vesicle invasion and the percentage involvement by cancer of each seminal vesicle were related to cancer volume, quantitative histological grade and presence or absence of lymph node metastases in 243 radical prostatectomy specimens. There were 47 prostates with seminal vesicle invasion. Frequency and extent of seminal vesicle invasion were strongly correlated with cancer volume, with minimal invasion noted in only 6% of the cases less than 4 cc. The relationship of seminal vesicle invasion to lymph node metastasis was statistically significant but cancer volume and histological grade were much stronger predictors of lymph node metastasis. The route of invasion from the prostate in 46 cases involved direct tumor spread into the midbase region near the ejaculatory ducts. Seminal vesicle invasion often may not be identified if the tissue nearest the ejaculatory ducts at the prostate base is not sampled.     

Neuroimaging in Pineal Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The authors report radiological findings in 11 tumors in the pineal region, which were histologically diagnosed as germinomas, pineocytomas pineoblastomas, ependymomas, teratomas, and astrocytomas. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) was performed in seven patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all patients. RESULTS: CT showed a solid or solid/cystic mass with variable contrast enhancement. MRI showed a heterogeneous mass, with hypointense signal on T1 and iso/hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images (WI) and gadolinium enhancement. Extension to adjacent structures occurred in five patients and spread through the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in two. CONCLUSIONS: Pineal region tumors have no pathognomonic imaging pattern. MRI and CT are complementary in diagnosis and are important to determine localization, extension, and meningeal spread.     

Conservative laparoscopic excision of endometriosis by sharp dissection: life table analysis of reoperation and persistent or recurrent disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term outcome after laparoscopic excision of endometriosis. DESIGN: This longitudinal unmatched study evaluated surgical outcome using follow-up questionnaires and evaluation of reoperations with results presented in life table format. SETTING: Surgery was performed by a private practitioner at a referral center. PATIENTS: All 359 patients undergoing laparoscopic excision of endometriosis between December 12, 1980, and March 31, 1990, were studied. INTERVENTIONS: Endometriosis, including deeply invasive disease, was completely excised laparoscopically using 3-mm scissors and graspers. Adjunctive medical therapy was not used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Extent of disease present at reoperation and quarterly rates of reoperation and recurrent/persistent disease are used as indicators of efficacy of surgery. RESULTS: Interval rates of reoperation and recurrence/persistence of disease and extent or invasiveness of disease when found at reoperation did not increase with the passage of time after surgery. The maximum cumulative rate of recurrent or persistent disease was 19%, achieved in the 5th postoperative year. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic excision of endometriosis results in a low rate of minimal persistent/recurrent disease. The natural history of endometriosis after surgery suggests a rather static nature of the disease.     

Distribution of lactoferrin in the normal and inflamed human prostate: an immunohistochemical study.

A polyclonal rabbit antibody to lactoferrin was used to localize the distribution of lactoferrin within the different zones of the normal human prostate as well as within the inflamed human prostate. Cases of normal central zone, peripheral zone, periurethral glandular tissue, as well as cases in which foci of moderate to severe inflammation, along with varying degrees of inflammation-related atrophy, were studied. In cases with inflammation, the staining pattern of lactoferrin was compared to the staining pattern of prostate-specific antigen. Within the central zone, lactoferrin staining occurred in numerous individual cells peppered throughout the epithelium as well as within multiple intraepithelial lumens (lacunae). These lacunae were often numerous enough to give the central zone epithelium a fenestrated appearance; they were not seen in any of the other regions of the prostate. With the exception of an occasional individual cell or isolated positive gland, normal peripheral zone exhibited very little lactoferrin activity. Staining within the transition zone was similar to that seen in the peripheral zone. Staining within the urethral lining of the epithelium in the periurethral glands showed a distinct pattern of frequent intense staining involving the entire gland; frequent individual positive cells were also often seen. Three patterns of staining were identified in prostatic inflammation. Mild periglandular chronic inflammation produced foci of epithelial lactoferrin positivity that coincided precisely with the areas of inflammation. Severe acute inflammation produced strong staining within luminal secretions while cytoplasmic staining was limited to the luminal surface of the epithelium. Post-inflammatory atrophy showed intense diffuse lactoferrin staining in the scant cytoplasm of the atrophic epithelium. In 12 of the 17 cases of inflammation that were studied, areas of post-inflammatory atrophy or severe inflammation commonly showed absence of prostate specific antigen staining and epithelium that was strongly lactoferrin-positive. Within the normal human prostate, lactoferrin appears to be produced primarily within the epithelium of the central zone, periurethral glands, and lining epithelium of the prostatic urethra. Lactoferrin-filled central zone lacunae appear to be structures unique to the central zone. The distribution of lactoferrin in the periurethral glands and urethral lining epithelium, along with the intense production of lactoferrin in the presence of inflammation, and the preservation of lactoferrin production in severe inflammation or atrophy suggest that lactoferrin may be a key component of the inflammatory response within the human prostate.     

Expression and characterization of Gag protein of HIV-1（CN） in Pichia pastoris

To express the core protein of HIV-1 of Chinese prevalent strain （HIV-1 （CN）） in Pichia pastoris, the fulllength gag gene was inserted into the secretory expression vector pHILS1. Linearized recombinant plasmid pHILGAG by Sail was electrotransformed into the yeast strain GS115, and the yeast transformants were identified by PCR. To induce the interest protein to be expressed, the PCR positive transformants were inoculated in the medium of BMGY and BMMY, mRNA of the strain was detected by RT-PCR, and the expressed protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and thin layer scanning. mRNA （1.3 kb） was amplified by RT-PCR. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis showed that the molecular mass of the expressed protein was 55 kD, which was similar to the expected value, and the expressed protein could react with McAb to HIV-1 p24. Thin layer scanning analysis demonstrated that the whole amount of the expressed protein was approximately 13 % of the soluble protein in the supernatant. The recombinant yeast had good genetic stability. The optimal expression conditions of the engineering yeast were as follows： BMMY medium, 80-90% of dissolved oxygen, 1% methanol, and 3-day-cultivation course. Gag proteins were expressed under the optimal expression condition and purified via gel filtration chromatography. The purity of the interest protein was up to 85 %. After the purified proteins were inoculated into BALB/c mice, the anti-HIV-1 antibodies in the immunized mice could be detected by Western blotting.